Esther 5
5:1 The third day marks the end of the three-day fast that Esther commanded among those loyal to her in Shushan (4:16). After dressing appropriately, shoving aside nervous anxiety, and ignoring three-day-old hunger pains, she stood in the inner court of the king’s palace. At this very moment, she was in the most imminent danger of her entire life. She accepted this incredible threat because if she didn't, she would be in even greater danger soon enough, and so too all her people, the Jews, would be killed (3:8-9). Esther is a Christ-like example in that she was willing to lay down her life for her people (John 15:13).
5:2 The writer of Esther does not belabor the drama and quickly reveals that all was well for Esther in Ahasuerus' court. Her presence was not only accepted but welcomed as she found favor in his sight. Esther was allowed to approach, indicated by him holding out his scepter (4:11). She did so and, afterward, touched the top of the scepter as a sign that she accepted the king’s freely given favor. This could be an apt allusion to the “golden” grace extended freely by God to all those who believe in his Son (John 3:16).
5:3-5 Something in her appearing told the king that she had an urgent request. He desired to lavish generosity on her, claiming he would offer up to half the kingdom! An apt allusion could be drawn here, for those who accept God’s free grace are thereafter offered a share in inheriting Christ’s Kingdom in exchange for their devotion and obedience (Rom 8:17).
Esther had probably noticed that many of the King's grandest decrees had been accompanied by a glass of wine and a full banquet table. Thus, she invited the Kingdom's two decision makers, the king who had all the power and Haman, who was the founder and financier of the planned genocide (4:7). The king seemed eager to go and commanded that Haman come quickly, and shortly they found themselves at Esther’s table.
5:6-7 Once at Esther's feast, the king plied her again to reveal her need. He assured her that virtually no request was too much to ask. She proved her patience and strategy by keeping her aim a secret. The writer doesn't explain her design, but since she had already kept her Jewishness a secret for nearly half a decade (2:10), she likely was waiting for the right moment, which didn't come during this meal. Thus, she requested their attendance to another banquet the following day, at whichshe promised, “I will do as the king has said.” That is, she would tell him what she wanted.
5:9-14 The story follows Haman home. On his way, he was his enemy, whom he called Mordecai the Jew, sitting at the king’s gate. Mordecai the Jew is a title that sticks, is used throughout the rest of the book, and eventually becomes a type of endearing folk title for this Judah-Persian hero (6:10, 8:7, 9:29, 31, 10:3). Haman was ambivalent, feeling both joy for his honored position among Ahasuerus and Esther, but filled with indignation that Mordecai did not stand or tremble before him. Haman was feared by all, except, of course, those who understood the essence of what Paul would someday write. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Rom 8:31) Once Haman went home, he both bragged of his own greatness and complained about his enemy to his wife and family. His hatred defeated his happiness as he expressed, “all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
5:14 Having wise confidants is vital to longevity in success. Haman, unfortunately, did not have wisdom within the walls of his home. His wife suggested he let a gallows be made, literally a huge impaling pole,to hang on it the dead body of Mordecai. His wife revealed in her comment that Haman, who ironically had just been bragging about his greatness, had no power to kill his enemy without the king’s permission. Pride distorts one’s view of self.
Haman’s impatience is odd, considering that if he would only wait but a short time, to his knowledge, Mordecai would be killed in the planned genocide. However, hatred is impatient, and thus, Haman can’t stand to belabor the murder. This shows a clear contrast between Haman and Esther. Haman was hasty and overreaching, whereas Esther had proved herself the superior strategist by her excruciating patience (vv 6-7). The plan pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.
Both Esther and Haman were cueing to make utterly opposite requests of the king the following morning. Esther sought to save Mordecai and all the Jews, while Haman sought to eradicate the selfsame. God, being the author of life (Acts 3:15), knows best how to weave an awe-inducing story. As the tension and drama build in the book of Esther, there is no doubt that God's plan was at work. He often allows for dire circumstances in order to display greater measures of His glory.
Lucas, I am enjoying your synopses of Esther. As you show, the major point of the book is 4:14 "Relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews..."
Thus God structured the book so that the chiastic center is Zeresh's words in 6:13 "you will not prevail against [the Jews]." I love the irony that God used a non-Jew, THE MORTAL ENEMY'S WIFE, to state the main truth of the book.